Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick-cut pork belly slices are pan-fried until crisp and served with a spicy, sweet, and savory Korean gochujang dipping sauce. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs pork belly slices, gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mince 2 garlic cloves and thinly slice 2 green onions. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, minced garlic, and half the green onions. Stir until smooth to create the dipping sauce.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 400 grams pork belly slices, laying them flat without crowding, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the edges are crispy and the fat renders.
  3. Step 3: Transfer cooked pork belly to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Season lightly with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Serve the pork belly hot with the prepared gochujang dipping sauce on the side. Garnish the sauce with the remaining green onion slices and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork belly slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Korean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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